Greater Bengaluru Authority
Greater Bengaluru Authority ಬೃಹತ್ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಪ್ರಾಧಿಕಾರ Br̥hat Beṅgaḷūru Prādhikāra | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Type | Administrative Body |
| History | |
| Founded | 15 May 2025 |
| Preceded by | Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike |
| Leadership | |
Metropolitan Commissioner | TBA |
Vice-Chairperson, (Bangalore Development Minister) | |
| Meeting place | |
| Kempegowda Civic Hall, Hudson Circle (Corporation Circle), Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560002 | |
| Footnotes | |
| Governed by: Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024[1][2] | |
Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) is the administrative body responsible for governance, urban planning, and civic service delivery across Greater Bengaluru (Bangalore). It was established on 15 May 2025, replacing the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).[3]
The GBA oversees the entire Greater Bengaluru Urban Agglomeration, aiming to coordinate planning, transportation, and environmental management at the metropolitan scale.[4] The GBA has the provision to establish up to seven municipal corporations within the Greater Bengaluru area.
Although the GBA has been officially established, the BBMP will continue to function during the transition phase until the new Authority becomes fully operational.[5]
History
[edit]The idea for the Greater Bengaluru Authority was first proposed by the BBMP Restructuring Committee in 2015, which recommended a three-tier governance model for Bengaluru consisting of multiple municipal corporations, ward committees, and a metropolitan-level planning authority.[6] The proposal aimed to address administrative inefficiencies and improve urban service delivery in response to the city's rapid population growth and infrastructural strain.
The Government of Karnataka revisited the proposal in 2023 under the "Brand Bengaluru" initiative, seeking public input and expert consultation to restructure the city's governance.[7] Following this, the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, 2024 was introduced in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly to provide a legal framework for the restructuring.[8]
The bill was passed in both houses of the Karnataka legislature in March 2025, despite opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (Secular), and civil society groups who raised concerns over the lack of elected representation and potential conflicts with the 74th Constitutional Amendment.[9]
The Greater Bengaluru Authority officially came into existence on 15 May 2025, replacing the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike as the apex urban governance body for the metropolitan area.[10]
Structure
[edit]The GBA is structured as a three-tier governance model comprising the Greater Bengaluru Authority at the apex, multiple City Corporations, and Ward Committees. The Authority is chaired by the Chief Minister of Karnataka, with the Minister for Bengaluru Development serving as Vice-Chairperson. A Metropolitan Commissioner, appointed by the state government, acts as the Member Secretary.[11]
The GBA includes ex-officio members with voting rights, such as ministers holding portfolios relevant to urban development, mayors of the city corporations, and heads of key civic agencies (BDA, BWSSB, BESCOM, BMRCL, BMTC). Non-voting members include commissioners of the city corporations and other officials as specified by the government. The Act allows for the division of the Bengaluru Metropolitan area into up to seven municipal corporations, each with an elected council responsible for local-level governance.[12][13]
Municipal Corporations under GBA
[edit]The Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, 2024 provides for the division of the former Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike into up to seven city corporations, each with an elected mayor and council.[14] Each corporation will be responsible for providing basic civic services within its respective jurisdiction.
As of May 2025, the GBA has not officially demarcated the new Municipal Corporation Boundaries.
Recent reports suggest Government of Karnataka is considering upto 3 municipal corporationns.[15]
The speculated Names of the indicated 3 municipal corporations are as follows:
- North Bengaluru Municipal Corporation/Uttara Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike
- South Bengaluru Municipal Corporation/Dakshina Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike
- East Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike/Purva Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike
Funtions
[edit]The GBA was established to serve as a metropolitan-level coordinating and planning body for the Greater Bengaluru Area.[16]
Under the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, 2024, the Authority is vested with the following functions:
- Strategic planning for the metropolitan area, including the preparation and approval of comprehensive and spatial development plans that cut across individual municipal jurisdictions.[17]
- Inter-agency coordination, particularly among parastatal bodies such as the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), and others.
- Approval and oversight of large-scale infrastructure projects that span across municipal boundaries, ensuring alignment with the city's long-term development vision.
- Equitable distribution of financial and natural resources among the municipal corporations under its jurisdiction.
- Monitoring and performance evaluation of local governments and urban service providers within the Greater Bengaluru Area.
- Conflict resolution between municipal corporations, civic agencies, and departments involved in urban governance.
- Advisory and technical support to municipal corporations on matters of policy, technology adoption, and citizen engagement.
- Disaster management coordination in partnership with relevant state and metropolitan agencies.[18]
References
[edit]- ^ "Karnataka: Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024, to govern city from May 15". The Hindu.
- ^ https://prsindia.org/bills/states/the-greater-bengaluru-governance-bill-2024
- ^ "Greater Bengaluru Authority officially launched, replaces BBMP". The Times of India. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "New urban governance model for Bengaluru comes into effect". The Hindu. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "BBMP to continue operations until GBA fully operational". Deccan Herald. 17 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Brand Bengaluru Committee proposes new governance model". The Indian Express. 3 March 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Karnataka government consults citizens on Brand Bengaluru mission". The Hindu. 2 July 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill tabled in Assembly". Deccan Herald. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Civil society questions Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill". The Hindu. 15 March 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Greater Bengaluru Authority officially launched". The Times of India. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "The Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, 2024". PRS Legislative Research. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "CM hints at splitting Bengaluru into three corporations under GBA". The Times of India. 10 March 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "GBA to be chaired by CM; includes heads of civic agencies". The New Indian Express. 13 March 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Greater Bengaluru Bill proposes up to 7 corporations". The Hindu. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Decision on number of municipal corporations to manage Bengaluru after discussion: CM". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ^ "Explained: What is the Greater Bengaluru Authority?". Citizen Matters. 15 March 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill provides three-tier urban governance structure". The Hindu. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "How Greater Bengaluru Authority will function". Deccan Herald. 15 March 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
